Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless

If it's not broken don't fix it. Don't fix it, but maybe build upon it. That seems to be the mindset that NIS developers adhere to in regards to the ongoing Disgaea saga. As a returning reviewer, and a longtime series fan I find the continued usage of features that carry over into "Disgaea 7", and the former releases to be a welcome sight that is not disappointing in the slightest. It allows veteran players like myself to jump right in, learn the new tricks, and enjoy the new story content as well as the infamous grind. Even with new twists on older mechanics involved it's familiarity makes the series player feel welcome. 

The added fact that we get a new game with a new story and new characters made for modern consoles is a huge bonus. Needless to say, if you are a fan or a returning player you'll feel right at home once again. If you are a newcomer to the series you are in for a treat as well. The latest game is equally as inviting for those new to the series as it is to seasoned veterans due to it's standalone story, and everything being explained along the way via the usual tutorials. 

In "Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtuous" we find a clashing of interests in the form of the two new main protagonists. With the "Hinamoto Otaku" Pirilika we get a taste of what it's like to envy a culture known for it's faithful code of conduct, famous cuisine, and brave warriors. On the flipside, the "Wayward Warrior" that is Fuji finds himself straying from that envied path to a more greedy and self-serving life as a demon samurai who has done away with the honorable practice of Bushido. In a chance meeting within Hinamoto, Pirilika and Fuji find they both need each other more than they might have initially imagined. Though contrasting by nature it is in the admiration of fabled honor, and the conflicting loss of virtue in a once honorable society that fate finds a way to restore purpose and obligation to a cause worth fighting for. 

Disgaea 7, like those before it comes complete with a hub of operations, and main plot driven story set to stage by stage battles across multiple named episodes. In this instance Pirilika, Fuji, and their army of hired recruits travel via Nethership to locations of interest. Interacting with key characters, and dealing death to those who would challenge their end goal. This time around it's the Hinamoto Shogunate led by Dimmodore Opener, the resident Shogun, who has turned the once faithful warriors into starving debt slaves that are their enemy. 

Utilizing the usual flagship vendors, and their services at the Nethership will allow Pirilika, Fuji, and their recruits to prepare, level up, and face the turn based stages of battle in a grind that is multi-layered. Returning in all it's glory is the Rosen Queen Co. shop for all the item, and equipment needs. That as well as the item world with item world research, a health clinic, a juice bar for boosting player stats, a recruiting station to flesh out your army, the Dark Assembly where bills that effect gameplay are passed, and a quests vendor for access to bonus questing opportunities. The item world in particular is a means, as it has always been, to level up and improve upon equipment and items. It is a turn based grind within a grind that takes place outside of the main plot points. 

New for the item world, specifically, is the introduction of a reincarnation mechanic wherein items whose floors you have fully completed can be reincarnated into a more powerful item. Floor numbers for each rarity in item world have also changed with common taking 10, rare taking 20, and legendary taking 30. This is less than the previous entry. You can reincarnate items multiple times making them into Epic items. Additionally you can use innocents gained from the medical vendor's gacha system as well as sacrifice items of no use to obtain the points needed to further upgrade the item world item. The item world includes the usual path choices, and various rewards for certain paths as well. Things like bonus rooms, and treasure rooms included.

When it comes to the returning Juice Bar you'll be able to once again max out your characters. This includes class proficiency, weapon mastery, and the characters themselves. All for the hefty price of Juice EXP. The higher the level of mastery the more Juice EXP it will cost. EXP, in general, also buffs character stats. Leveling them up gradually the more they fight. Leading to the unlocking of special weapon based skills.

Beyond those venues lies the Dark Assembly. For Juice Mana you can get the assembly to okay or pass bills that will open up new game features. Things such as character related content, game changing options, and features not initially available. The more the bill offers the more it costs to pass. It should also be noted that this time around those passing the bills or vetoing them are sumos. As with the previous Dark Assembly these sumos can be bribed with items to help ensure the passing bills, or can be paid HL to do the same if the attempt to pass said bill fails. 

In the way of character customization options color palettes return alongside 45 character classes. These classes that are both humanoid, demonic, and monster by design can be mastered and recruited in a leveled up state with the added stat perks to boot. Characters that are either recruited or mainstay can also be reincarnated via the Dark Assembly to increase their stat boosting potential. For those of you who want to name your recruited characters this is a returning option that comes with the choice to randomly generate names NISA-style. Created characters, as before, come complete with 'Evilties' which further add to and extend their abilities in battle as well. Another mechanic key to creating the perfect army of recruits needed for high level play.

About the Battle ...

Battles in 'Disgaea 7' stay true to former iterations, as one would rightfully expect. In this case each character in your party can move, attack, defend, use items, use special attacks, throw objects, characters, or monsters, and co-op attack in a coordinated effort if placed adjacent from a player and an enemy. Along with these basics that take place on a squared off map you'll find that the GEO Symbol and GEO Panel mechanic returns once again allowing you to place Geo Symbols on colored tiles to either buff or nerf bonuses given by those tiles. Either that or create a cascading destruction of all colored tiles in what is known as a GEO destruction. An event wherein any character or enemy standing on the exploding tiles will receive big damage. 

The end goal in all battles is to carefully, and strategically position party members in places where they can confront lesser, and greater enemies in an attempt to clear them all out. Doing this in the most efficient manner with all mechanics considered will result in the rewarding of bonus items, HL (The in-game currency, and Juice Points. The less moves it takes you to clear a stage, and the more efficiently it is done the more you will see a checklist of feats marked off, and rewards of different rarities awarded accordingly.

New to the battle mechanics is the 'Hell Mode' activation that can be triggered for characters like Fuji who have in their possession infernal treasure weapons. Hell Mode not only buffs attack performance, but in it's limited use state can also deal big damage to bosses by allowing for the use of Hell Mode specific special attacks. To make use of it you have to first build up the meter by defeating enemies. Once done you can literally unleash Hell on your foes. You have to play it carefully though, because once it's effect ends you can be left open to a devastating counter. 

The Presentation ...

New to Disgaea 7, and true to it's placement on the PS5 is the ability to change the graphics mode. You can go all all out for that 4k resolution via the "Graphics" option or you can opt instead to prioritize performance by choosing "Performance". In 4k on a 4k HDTV 'Disgaea 7' is absolutely breathtaking with minimal stuttering. A noticeable upgrade from previous entries. That along with the accompanying voice overs, and soundtrack it comes together to create a complimentary combination that Disgaea fans always enjoy. When it comes to English voice-overs the casting is on point this time, and delivered with a 'Triple A' quality. You can also choose to go with the original Japanese voice-overs if you so desire. Leaving the English translation to the subtitles. 

The Verdict ...

NIS never disappoints when it comes to plot points, and key characters. Their games always seem to reflect the current state of global society. In Disgaea 7's case I see our real world plight and fight against tyrants, and communism. How the once brave have been conditioned to be cowardly bootlickers, and willing debt slaves to the powers that be. Forsaking their worth, and individuality to conform and comply to a collective that undermines their very lives. I can also see through Pirilika and Fuji the envy of freedom fighters and the loss off a cause worth fighting for. The American dream in one hand, and a world of people who have traded their freedom for selfish gain. It is these parallels that make NISA games, in general, so great. Those who look deep enough will see it, and even those who don't will still find inspiration in the heroes and heroines of the story. 

If you fancy a worthwhile, more bang for your buck JRPG, none is more worthy this year than that of 'Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless'. It gets my total support, and onboard admiration. A game of the year contender, for sure!!! Don't miss out!!! Comes out on October 3rd!!!